Asked by courtney
A cart of mass M1 = 4.00 kg and initial speed = 4.00 m/s collides head on with a second cart of mass M2 = 2.00 kg at rest. Assuming that the collision is elastic, find the speed of M2 after the collision.
i keep getting 2.3 m/s
what am i doing wrong?
i keep getting 2.3 m/s
what am i doing wrong?
Answers
Answered by
drwls
Show your work and we'll tell you. Did you assume that both total momentum and kinetic energy were conserved?
The center of mass moves at velocity 2/3* 4.00 = 8/3 m/s. In that "CM" coordinate system, M2 approaches with velocity -8/3 m/s and leaves with velocity +8/3 m/s. In earth-fixed coordinates, its speed is 8/3 + 8/3 = 16/3 = 5.33 m/s.
The speed of M1 after collision is -(4 - 8/3) + 8/3 = 4/3 = 1.33 m/s.
You may verify that these numbers are correct by plugging them into the momentum and KE conservation equations.
The center of mass moves at velocity 2/3* 4.00 = 8/3 m/s. In that "CM" coordinate system, M2 approaches with velocity -8/3 m/s and leaves with velocity +8/3 m/s. In earth-fixed coordinates, its speed is 8/3 + 8/3 = 16/3 = 5.33 m/s.
The speed of M1 after collision is -(4 - 8/3) + 8/3 = 4/3 = 1.33 m/s.
You may verify that these numbers are correct by plugging them into the momentum and KE conservation equations.
Answered by
Josh g.
okay I think I get it now, I was going at it in a different way.
thanks so much.
thanks so much.
There are no AI answers yet. The ability to request AI answers is coming soon!
Submit Your Answer
We prioritize human answers over AI answers.
If you are human, and you can answer this question, please submit your answer.